Bands will perform every Saturday in March 2018. Hold these dates to attend: March 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31. Doors open at noon each Saturday at The Bridge, 619 E. Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City (downtown behind Avenue HQ), with performances beginning at 2 p.m. There will be prize drawings and a 50/50 raffle drawing starting at 5 p.m. each Saturday, with a Grand Prize drawing on March 31. Tickets are $15 in advance or at the door with all proceeds going to support families of fallen law enforcement officers, EMS, fire, and corrections officers located within Boone and Cole Counties.

The event features five Saturdays of band performances. Each Saturday, three bands will perform with a winner identified at the close of performances. On the fifth week, each of the four winning bands will face off in a finale performance on March 31. Bands Battle 4 the Badges features a total of 12 bands. Each Saturday, two celebrity judges and the audience will vote to determine the winning bands based on performance, audience reaction and overall energy. To view the list of bands or to purchase tickets, visit Facebook and friend The Bridge or Safety Net of Missouri. To purchase tickets, visit The Bridge Facebook page and click on the Events link to order online or send a Facebook message.

Three more preliminary competitions with three different bands will take place on March 10, 17 and 24. The four preliminary finalists will face off in the last competition, with one band claiming the 2018 Bands Battle for the Badges championship.

Safety Net wishes to express its genuine appreciation to Marc Wright and Tommy Goran for attending the Safety Net Board of Directors meeting on December 18, 2017. Marc provided Safety Net with a generous donation of $5,000, of which 100 percent will go to survivors of future officers and first responders who perish in the line of duty.

“Marc has been fighting fires for nearly 30 years in the Columbia, Missouri area. Three years ago, Marc was first diagnosed with colon cancer and is now battling his fourth cancer diagnosis, which includes the liver, lung, and lymph nodes. Even after having two separate surgeries and many rounds of chemo and radiation, Marc remains upbeat and positive. By relying on his faith, and having the support of a close-knit family and a community who loves him, he continues to fight this disease with unsurpassed strength and determination.” (Marc Wright Cancer Benefit Facebook Page)

A few close firefighter friends of Marc’s were able to make one of his dreams come true through the Marc Wright Cancer Benefit. Marc had always wanted to visit NYC and do a ride-along with FDNY’s Rescue-1. He also wanted to pay a visit to the 9/11 Memorial while in NYC. He was able to do both as a result of the wonderful fundraising efforts of his supporters and shared his New York experiences with Safety Net’s board members. Marc requested that any funds raised above the amount needed for his trip be donated to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, Safety Net of Missouri, and St. Jude’s.

Safety Net cannot begin to express its appreciation to all those who support Marc and for the contributions that made his dream become a reality, nor can we thank Marc enough for his generous support for our organization.

Grace Steifermann presented Safety Net with a donation of $920 from the volleyball fundraiser she organized as part of her leadership class through William Woods. The event was held November 4 at Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City. Safety Net warmly thanks Grace and the volunteers who organized and worked the event and the players who participated. One hundred percent of the donation will go to support families of fallen officers or first responders.

Dan Drinkard presents a $1,400 check to SafetyNet President Mark Edwards and Board Member Bill Farr. Funds were raised by raffling a Henry rifle. The check was presented during a Trustees meeting in early October.